A total of 174,608 tourists have arrived in the country in April 2025, data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) shows. This is an increase of 17.3% in comparison to the numbers arrived in March 2024. Accordingly, the total number of tourist arrivals in the first four months of 2025 stands at 896,884….
Business confidence takes a nosedive leaving the recent record highs in the rearview mirror In a dramatic move on 2 April, US President Donald Trump imposed a 44 percent tariff on goods from Sri Lanka and many other countries (ranging from 10% to 90%) through an executive order, citing it as a reciprocal measure to…
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Japan have launched a new multi-donor trust fund to help developing countries in Asia and the Pacific strengthen private sector development, enable and mobilize private capital, and build long-term investment ecosystems. The ADB Market Acceleration Platform for Asia and the Pacific (AMAP) was established through a…
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates, in collaboration with Embassy of Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB), and SriLankan Airlines, officially launched the UAE chapter of the Sri Lanka Conference Ambassador Programme (SLCAP) on 29th April 2025. The initiative…
Global conglomerate headed by renowned Nepalese Forbes-listed billionaire Binod Chaudhary has leisure footprint of 14 properties in Sri Lanka In a strategic conversion idea brought to fruition, Marriott International Inc. and CG Hospitality signed an agreement to convert The Farm at San Benito, the well-renowned Philippines wellness retreat, to an Autograph Collection resort, as part…
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka (NCE) entered into a strategic partnership to support Sri Lankan exporters by enhancing their access to capital market opportunities and broadening visibility for their businesses. The partnership agreement was signed by Mr. Shiham Marikar, Secretary General / CEO, The National Chamber…
Receives Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) licence Says presence in DIFC lays foundation for expansion of international footprint Representative Office will serve clients in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives The Commercial Bank of Ceylon is to significantly enhance its international footprint with the opening of a Representative Office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC),…
National Credit Guarantee Institution Limited (NCGIL) commenced its operations in January and issued the first set of guarantees to 3 Financial Institutions (FIs) to partly cover the loans approved by them for 3 Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs). Under the guarantee program, NCGIL is providing individual guarantee cover to its shareholder Financial Institutions (SFIs)…
The Colombo Stock Exchange closed on a positive note today (02), with the benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) gaining 51.80 points or 0.33% to end at 15,851.74. In contrast, the S&P SL20 index, which tracks the top 20 largest and most liquid stocks, slipped by 5.37 points or 0.12% to settle at 4,638.29. Marking…
Reuters – Australia’s antitrust regulator on Friday began an informal review of Lactalis’ proposed bid for Fonterra’s assets on the block, even though the French dairy giant has yet to formally announce the offer. Fonterra in April that some potential buyers were at a stage where they could seek regulatory approvals — a standard step ahead…
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